Without spectators, the organizer of any GP loses its greatest source of income. This is the reason why, for example, Claude Michy does not for a single moment consider setting up a French Grand Prix without an audience. Joan Fontserè, the Director of the Barcelona-Catalonia circuit, sees the problem in reverse, without spectators, but with a significant reduction in the fee paid to Dorna.
Yesterday it was confirmed that the Formula 1 Grand Prix will take place in Barcelona on the weekend of August 16 and the Moto GP weekend appears to be a little later. Will these two events generate revenue even without spectators?
“One of the conditions we have set for Liberty Media and Dorna is not to pay the license fee because we will have no revenue from the public and no economic impact on the territory. »
“The situation at the circuit is surreal because, thanks to everything that has happened, the economic situation is better than in other years. We must take into account the fact that the economic impact of these Grands Prix is generated on the territory and not on the operating account of the circuit, in which the payment of rights appears. » explained the Catalan to Marca.com.
Will it be possible for the public to attend the Catalan Grand Prix?
“We have not considered this option because the protocol of the international federations states that access for teams and the press is very limited, so it would not make sense to restrict this part and instead give access to the public. »
When will the MotoGP Grand Prix date be confirmed?
“It will take place on the last weekend of September or the first of October, but we depend on the date of the other races. It's a very difficult puzzle to put together, each country has its own rules and logistics. Dorna wants the teams to be as fatigued as possible and for the risk of contagion to be zero. »
Is a second Grand Prix being considered?
“With the President of Dorna, Carmelo Ezpeleta, who was the first director of the circuit, we talked about it from the beginning. He told me he didn't know yet what they would do and I told him they still had the option of doing it. Anyway, we are a circuit with a lot of activity and, as everything has moved from the first to the second semester, we have little space for these races. »
How has the cancellation of races and track rentals affected the circuit economically?
“What was done was to cancel everything we had in the first half to find a place for him in the second. Regarding the Grand Prix, we have an opportunity and a problem: it leads us to practically block the Circuit during the months of May and June, when it takes place, and therefore during this period there is no rental. In this sense, we have not suffered much loss in terms of income. »
And all the money that doesn't come in for the Formula 1 and Moto GP Grands Prix?
“These Grands Prix generate a lot of wealth in the surrounding economic activity, around the circuit. On a strictly economic level for the circuit, the suspension was not a negative fact. »
Photos © Barcelona-Catalonia Circuit
